INEOS has made significant cost-cutting measures at its cycling team, Netcompany INEOS, following the departure of one of its biggest stars, Filippo Ganna. Race director Geraint Thomas admitted that "money is not a bottomless pit" when discussing the exit.
Ganna's departure and budget constraints
Filippo Ganna, a key rider who won world titles and grand tour stages during his time with the team, will join rivals Lidl-Trek starting in January. Thomas expressed his feelings about the move, saying, "I was sad to see him go," recalling the grand tours they had raced together. "A great guy and sad to see him go."
The former Tour de France winner explained that the team could not justify keeping both Ganna and Joshua Tarling. "Money's not a bottomless pit anymore," Thomas said. "Josh is obviously a lot younger and kinda going into that road captain role as well. Both are great time trialists. Both have strengths and weaknesses, very similar. Can you afford to keep them both in the team? Ultimately, no."
INEOS's cycling history and current challenges
Sir Jim Ratcliffe took control of the team in 2019, when it was known as Team Sky. At that time, the British-based team had been cycling's most dominant force. During Sir Jim's first Tour, Egan Bernal wore the famous yellow jersey on the Champs-Elysees for INEOS. However, that remains their last Tour success, due to the emergence of Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard.
Beyond cycling, Sir Jim faces other pressing matters this week, with the future of Michael Carrick uncertain after Manchester United suffered another humiliating defeat over the weekend.
